Small Animal Caregiver Volunteer

Description:

Small Animal Caregiver volunteers provide care to shelter pets, ensuring their living environment remains safe, clean and as comfortable as possible. This role is a good match for individuals who thrive with varied tasks, can follow an array of directions, are self-directed, and who work equally well independently or as part of a team. Please note, animal care only takes place from 8:30AM to 11:30AM and this shift time cannot be changed. Please consider your availability when applying.

Hands-on dog care is not available in this role.

Responsibilities:

Provide husbandry small animals. Volunteers will work with a variety of species including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, gerbils and other exotics.
Clean, disinfect enclosures, and provide appropriate food, water, litter, toys and bedding along with interacting and socializing with the animals.

Necessary Skills:

Ability to follow instructions on safety protocols to prevent the spread of illness
Some level of comfort with various species
Some knowledge of animal body language
Willingness to clean areas soiled with feces, urine, or vomit
Ability to work independently and with other volunteers
Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. This role is not a suitable match for individuals who do best with routine tasks
Ability to quickly make good judgments, for the safety of the individual, staff, other volunteers, and animals
Emotional ability to handle difficult situations involving animals
Ability to perform physical labor for the duration of shift, including kneeling, bending, and reaching
Ability use stepladder, and lift and/or pull up to 40 pounds

Requirements:

Commitment of at least six months
One weekly 3-hour shift on the same day each week
Attendance at an orientation and on-the-job training
Completion of Fear Free training – a free online course – within 30 days of acceptance into the Volunteer Program

Available Shifts:

Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 11:30am

Animal care only takes place at the above time, so please ensure your availability before applying

Apply Now!